24 Beloved Classic Cars Everyone Loves
Modern cars might be more reliable and comfortable, but there is something extraordinary about a classic car. From first-generation Ford Mustangs to the Citroen DS, classic cars have an aura that makes them incredibly desirable.
Some might be out of reach to us financially, but that does not stop us from admiring them from afar. In this list, we have some of the most beloved classic cars in the world that we all know, and we explain what makes them so special.
Their looks, performance, and rarity all contribute to this. But we will also include classic cars that you can pick up on a budget, since being cheaper doesn’t make them less memorable.
Toyota 2000GT
Toyota has produced some spectacular cars over the years, one of their finest being the classic 2000GT. The 2000GT debuted in 1967 as a direct rival to the Jaguar E-Type, but it was so good that Road and Track compared it incredibly favorably against the Porsche 911 of the day.
The Toyota 2000GT was about showing the rest of the world that Japan could make fast, exciting cars. Under the hood, it packed a mighty 2.0-2.3-liter inline-six engine, producing up to 148-hp. The 2000GT is now one of the world’s most valuable cars. In 2022, a special Shelby 2000GT sold for $2.53 million, becoming the most expensive Japanese car in history.
BMW M1
The BMW M1 is the first bespoke vehicle from BMW’s famous M division, but it almost didn’t happen at all after its troubled upbringing. Initially, the M1 was going to be produced in partnership with BMW and Lamborghini, but the Italian manufacturer pulled out thanks to its crippling financial situation.
BMW took over the project and its design and produced what is still one of their best-looking cars. Under the hood, a 3.5-liter M88 inline-six produces 273-hp and 243 lb-ft of torque. BMW made the M1 from 1978 to 1981, and it was the first mid-engine BMW automobile to be mass-produced. It took until the 2013 BMW i8 for the manufacturer to produce another.
Lancia 037
As far as famous manufacturers go, Lancia is right up there. Its exploits in the World Rally Championship are the stuff of legend, and it remains the manufacturer with the most WRC titles, and one of those came thanks to the iconic 037. The 037 made history in 1983, becoming the final two-wheel drive car to win a World Rally Championship title.
The fact that it did so against the might of the four-wheel-drive Audi Quattro made the 037 a true legend of the world rally. The 1983 WRC season has gone down in history as one of the greatest the championship ever saw, and it showcased the very best of Lancia and the 037.
Lamborghini Miura
Modern supercars can trace their roots to the gorgeous Lamborghini Miura, which debuted in 1966. Many say this is the supercar that started it all and took what was still a fledgling Lamborghini to the next level. Helping its rise to fame was its mid-mounted V12 engine and a top speed of 174 mph, making it the fastest production car in the world.
The 3.9-liter L406 V12 was one of the best to grace a supercar, and what made the Miura so different from its rivals at Ferrari was that it was powerful yet comfortable and great for longer-distance drives — something Ferruccio Lamborghini felt wasn’t the case with his rivals’ machines.
Jaguar E-Type
The famous rumor is that Enzo Ferrari called the Jaguar E-Type “the most beautiful car ever made.” If that is true, then it’s easy to see why he thought that. The E-Type has a timeless design, particularly in Series 1 form, with its long, sleek hood, graceful curves, and remarkable inline-six and V12 power.
The E-Type is such a legend that it has spawned several reproductions, not just from Jaguar itself with its continuation models but also from Eagle, creators of the Eagle E-Type, which are faithful, modern replicas of the British sports car. The E-Type also had some notable features, such as its rack-and-pinion steering and the front and rear independent suspension.
Ferrari 250 GTO
Whenever we think of classic Ferraris, the first that comes to mind is naturally the 250 GTO. Between 1962 and 1964, Ferrari produced just 36 examples of the 250 GTO. Ferrari was strict about who could purchase a 250 GTO, and buyers needed personal approval from Enzo Ferrari and his North American dealer, Luigi Chinetti.
The 250 GTO competed in Group 3 GT racing against the Shelby Cobra, the Aston Martin DP214, and the Jaguar E-Type. It certainly wasn’t lacking in power, thanks to its Tipo 168 Comp V12, which produced 296-hp and 217 lb-ft of torque. The 250 GTO is the most valuable classic car in the world, and the current record is for 1963 chassis 4153GT, which sold at a private sale for $70 million.
Aston Martin DP214
The Ferrari 250 GTO’s key rival, the Aston Martin DP214, deserves a mention. The DP214 was a gorgeous sports car that raced in the Group 3 GT class, including the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours. The British manufacturer built just two examples, making it one of Aston Martin’s rarest and most valuable products.
One of these was sadly destroyed in a practice crash at the 1964 Nurburgring 1,000 Km, killing driver Brian Hetreed. Thankfully, the second DP214 survives under the ownership of enthusiast and racer Simon Draper, who has taken the car to various events, including the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Honda S500
Before it entered the world of four-wheeled vehicles, Japanese manufacturer Honda was most famous for its two-wheel creations. But in the 1950s, Honda surprised everyone by producing its first car, the S500, arguably still one of its very best. The S500 was Honda’s first-ever passenger car and its second production vehicle after the T360 truck.
Under the hood, the S500 had a 531 cc DOHC inline-four engine and Keihin carburetors. Despite its small size, the engine revved to a 9,000 rpm redline, producing 44 hp. The S500’s in-house styling is still breathtakingly beautiful, and it is little wonder it is now a sought-after classic car.
Lancia Stratos
The Lancia 037 might have the wildest story, but the Stratos is arguably the most recognizable Lancia. The car put Lancia on the map, winning three consecutive WRC titles from 1974 to 1976. Its wedge shape, designed by Marcello Gandini of Bertone, ensured it stood out from all its rivals.
Under the hood of the Stratos was a 2.4-liter Dino V6, producing 190 hp. That might not sound like a lot, but the Stratos was incredibly light. The Group 4 rally car weighed just 1,940 lbs, and the road-going Stradale was only slightly heavier at 2,161 lbs. The Stratos was so successful that even when Lancia withdrew factory support for the car, it could still beat works teams at WRC events while in private hands.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Mercedes has produced some spectacular and beautiful cars over the years, and perhaps its most striking is the 300SL Gullwing. The 300SL’s roots lie in the W194 coupe, designed by legendary Mercedes engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut in the early 1950s. The W194 was driven to victories at events such as the 24 Horus of Le Mans and Mexico’s Carrera Panamericana.
The 300SL evolved from the W194, and Mercedes only produced 1,400 examples. It was complete with the gullwing doors that helped make it such an icon. Power would come from a 3.0-liter straight-six overhead cam engine, producing enough energy to propel the 300SL to a top speed of 161 mph.
Lotus Elise S1
The Lotus Elise S1 is a modern classic and deserves its place on this list thanks to its role in saving Lotus. After so many years of difficulty, the Elise blew enthusiasts’ minds, thanks to the performance of its all-aluminum Rover K-Series engine and its lightness, which gave it some of the best handling of any sports car.
The small Rover 1.8-liter 16-valve engine might have only produced 118-hp, but it sat in a car weighing just 1,488 lbs. As reviewers found out, the small K-Series was the perfect match for the balance and grip of the Elise, creating one of the most well-rounded sports cars of all time. The icing on the cake was the retro design by Julian Thomson, which had a hint of Elan M100 within it.
Aston Martin DB5
You will instantly recognize the Aston Martin DB5 if you are a James Bond fan. The DB5 made its Bond debut in the 1964 epic Goldfinger, but it is easy to forget that away from the movies, the DB5 was one of the best grand tourers available.
Many believe the DB5 to be the most beautiful Aston Martin ever built, and Aston worked its magic to enlarge the engine from its DB4 predecessor. This included increasing the bore to 96 mm and the displacement to 4.0 liters. The DB5’s engine now produced 282-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The DB5 was fast and comfortable, and few cars throughout history have come close to matching its fame.
Citroen Ami
The Ami name has recently returned to the Citroen range and is now used on the small city EV. Before this, the Ami was used on the small four-door family Ami produced from 1961 to 1978, a car that is possibly one of Citroen’s best-ever. The Ami’s name is the French word for “friend,” symbolizing its feel-good nature.
The key to the design was the distinctive rear end, which was later replaced by the more conventional Ami 8. The only major drawback of the Ami was the rust that became endemic to the cars. The Ami was the smaller sister to the iconic Citroen DS, and it was a sign of the prosperity now flowing through France after the trauma of World War 2.
Citroën DS
The word icon is overused but could not be more accurate in the Citroën DS case. You know that it is a particular car when Top Gear is putting it in the same league as the Ferrari F40 and the Ford Model T. Citroën first revealed the DS at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, and its spaceship-like design showed how far France had come after World War 2.
After just 15 minutes on display, Citroën had over 740 orders for its new car. Not only was it a great-looking car, but it would become known for its amazingly comfortable ride. All thanks to the superb hydro-pneumatic, automatically leveling independent suspension, which absorbed the bumps of France’s bumpy and war-torn roads as if they weren’t there.
First-Generation Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang has been around for generations, but undoubtedly, the most famous is still the first generation. The new muscle car exploded onto the scene for the 1965 model year, creating the new Pony Car segment and providing muscle car kings Pontiac with their stiffest competition yet.
What made the Mustang so great was that, for a base price of $2,369 in 1964, Americans could access the style of a European Grand Tourer with the added practicality you would typically expect from a vehicle such as the Ford Falcon. With brutal V8 power and manual transmission, the Mustang became an instant classic and a muscle car legend.
Porsche 924
In the 1970s, Porsche was still determining if its staple product, the 911, had the longevity to continue success. So, after collaborating with Volkswagen, Porsche developed the 924, an entry-level sports car that initially proved hard to love thanks to its average performance and non-911 design.
Those issues quickly disappeared, and adding the Turbo and Turbo S models turned the 924 into a thoroughbred. With the later 944 overshadowing it, the 924s are still quite an affordable classic car but act quickly if you want one. Appreciation for the 924 is now rising, likely driving their value.
McLaren F1
Even over thirty years after its introduction, many still view the McLaren F1 as the most incredible supercar ever built. Produced from 1992 to 2000, the F1 was Gordon Murray’s brainchild. It was powered by a mighty 6.1-liter, 618-hp BMW V12 engine and had a top speed of 240 mph. McLaren now had the fastest production car in the world.
While modern supercars like the Bugatti Veyron are quicker, the F1’s 240 mph top speed ensures it is still the fastest naturally aspirated car globally. The McLaren F1 cost around $2 million new, but its value has skyrocketed, with the record currently standing at over $20 million for an F1 sale.
Chevrolet C2 Corvette
After the troubles faced by the C1 Corvette in the 1950s, Chevrolet so nearly gave up on its new sports car. However, the new C2 Corvette of the early 1960s changed the path of the sports car and began the journey it is still on to become one of the most outstanding performance cars in the world.
The C2 Corvette is now one of the most desirable classic cars in the world, particularly if it has the 327 ci 375-hp fuel-injected Rochester V8 under the hood. The sharp styling, the short deck, and the long hood made the C2 Corvette a standout of the 1960s, and it proved to Chevrolet that they were right not to give up on the Corvette.
Dodge Viper RT/10
Dodge introduced its new Viper sports car at the beginning of the 1990s, and few could have predicted how wild and ferocious it would be. The first version didn’t have airbags, traction control, or stability control, making this new sports car a real handful.
The Viper RT/10 was a wild animal, thanks to the massive 8.0-liter Dodge V10 under the hood, producing 400-hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. It was unlike any other sports car available then, yet despite its ferocity, it looked back on as one of the most excellent American cars ever made. It was fast, loud, and powerful, and Dodge would continue to evolve the Viper for the next two decades.
BMC/Morris Mini
In the present day, we all know the Mini as a BMW brand and one that has morphed the Mini into something unrecognizable from its 1950s origins. However, the original BMC Mini remains an all-time classic and one of the best daily drivers of the 20th century thanks to its small size, practicality, and versatility.
Thanks to its space-saving transverse engine and front-wheel drive layout, the Mini had 80 percent of its floor space available to its passengers and luggage. The Mini was also affordable, enabling young families to have access to their own car, and its small size made it very easy to park and drive through town. The final classic Mini was produced in October 2000, yet it remained faithful to the original 1950s design from the British Motor Corporation.
Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary
Following the success of the Miura, Lamborghini went on to produce the Countach, the most recognizable supercar the Italian manufacturer had ever made. The Countach was mad with its scissor doors and rear wing option but went to the next level with the special Countach 25th Anniversary edition.
This version of the Countach was limited to just 650 units, and under the hood, it had a 5.2-liter V12 engine with a screaming soundtrack. For the US model, Lamborghini added Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, with the Countach capable of 455-hp, the highest power figure achieved by any Countach. The 25th Anniversary Countach is now incredibly rare and worth over $1 million.
Ferrari F40
For many, the Ferrari F40 is still the most incredible supercar in the Italian manufacturer’s history. It is also incredibly poignant, as it was the last car that founder Enzo Ferrari personally approved before he died in 1988. While nearly 40 years have passed since its debut, the F40 can still challenge the best of the modern world.
Power came from a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged Tipo F120A V8 engine, producing 471-hp. However, the US-spec F40 had slightly more power available, making 477-hp. The striking and aggressive design is still much loved, as is the F40’s lightness, as it weighed just 3,018 lbs in the United States. This led design genius Gordon Murray to say, “It’s the lack of weight that makes the Ferrari so exciting.”
Lola Mk6
While the Ford GT40 is credited with ending Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans, and rightfully so, it might not have existed had Eric Broadley and British manufacturer Lola not come up with the Mk6. This British sports car had a 260 ci Ford 4.74-liter V8 under the hood, producing 350-hp at 7,000 rpm. Thanks to the lightness and compact nature of the Ford engine, the Lola weighed just 2,094 lbs, even lighter than the GT40.
Lola produced just three Mk6s, and in 12 attempts, it ran just a single race, but it proved the concept behind the car could work. Lola sold an Mk6 to Ford for testing, and the results of its tests with the British sports car would lead to the GT40. Hence, it is no coincidence that the two cars look so similar.
Bugatti EB110
The Bugatti EB110 is a modern classic, yet it is often overlooked due to the financial troubles surrounding Bugatti at its conception. The EB110 was the only car produced by the Romano Artioli incarnation of Bugatti, and it had a fearsome 3.5-liter quad-turbocharged V12 under the hood that produced 553-hp.
Bugatti wasn’t done there, though. The EB110 Super Sport was even more powerful, producing 603-hp in total. The EB110 got something right, as Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher would purchase one and own it for many years. Unfortunately, Bugatti’s precarious financial situation got in the way of the EB110, and after production ceased, Bugatti remained dormant until its revival with the Veyron in the mid-2000s.
